Emseni Farming is dedicated to cultivating food for the nation.

From its inception, Emseni Farming has been deeply committed to uplifting the rural community in the Kranskop area of KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative was inspired by Erlo Stegen, a respected preacher and missionary associated with the KwaSizabantu Mission. As Rev Stegen began his preaching journey many years ago, he noticed a pressing issue: many churchgoers travelled long distances over rugged terrain to hear his messages. To address this growing concern, he took the visionary step of establishing vegetable gardens to provide food for them.

With a focus on fostering food security, Rev Stegen meticulously cultivated a sustainable farm that has since significantly impacted the lives of the local community and their extended families. The initiative has created numerous job opportunities and facilitated skills development across various stages of agricultural production, from the delicate process of germinating seeds to the meticulous packaging of produce for sale.

Rev Stegen has passionately advocated for the importance of self-sufficiency in the community, encouraging members to grow vegetable gardens. This initiative empowers families to provide fresh produce for themselves and fosters a sense of independence, even in small ways. Through engaging, hands-on training sessions, he shared essential farming techniques, distributed seedlings, and provided the necessary infrastructure to support their gardening efforts.

Rev Stegen has gone the extra mile by helping individuals market their harvests, enabling them to generate income and elevate their quality of life with greater dignity. The community and the dedicated farm owners at Emseni collaborate closely, learning from one another's experiences. Over the years, they have developed a comprehensive blueprint tailored to the unique agricultural challenges faced in South Africa, crafting innovative solutions for farms experiencing similar obstacles.

What started as simple community vegetable gardens has transformed into expansive greenhouses for peppers that cover more than 11.5 hectares of land. The ambitious second phase of the pepper project, launched in 2021, features three hectares of state-of-the-art greenhouses. This flagship initiative combines cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, and work on the third phase is currently underway to improve the community's agricultural capabilities further.

The vision that Rev Stegen and his dedicated team embarked upon many years ago has blossomed into something truly remarkable. Emseni has evolved significantly, aligning itself with its core sustainability goals. Today, its agricultural endeavours encompass diverse activities, including cultivating luscious avocados and a variety of succulent fruits. The venture features a thriving dairy farm, the production of nutrient-rich compost, and innovative hydroponic systems that yield crisp lettuce and vibrant sweet peppers. The farmers are committed to using harmonious and environmentally conscious practices, ensuring that their methods nurture the land and promote the well-being of the community and the planet.  (Visit: www.emseni.co.za)